OSPI's building is closed to the public until further notice. OSPI will continue serving the public via phone, email, and the website.
See OSPI’s COVID-19 guidance and resources for educators, students, and families.
Social Studies is an office within OSPI that provides guidance for the development and implementation of Washington social studies learning standards and assessments. Watch Supt. Chris Reykdal present the keynote address to hundreds of social studies educators in Skamania.
Social Studies considerations document
Social studies classroom-based assessments are designed to help districts, schools, teachers, parents, and students determine the level of proficiency students achieve in their understanding and application of the social studies learning standards.
Civic Education includes the College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework and six proven instructional practices for ensuring that every student is provided a high-caliber civic education from kindergarten through high school graduation.
K-12 Social Studies Learning Standards - the Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALRs) - describe what students should know and be able to do in civics, economics, geography, history, and skills for effective participation in public life.
This page contains links to programs, organizations, and legislative actions - examples of effective social studies education.
The Washington State Social Studies Cadre of Educators is a group of 30-36 teachers with experience and expertise in social studies. They serve as a teaching and advisory team for the state.
This page, curated by OSPI, contains resources created by and for educators - including instructional materials, review rubrics, and other useful links.
Grant programs offered through OSPI Social Studies are available through the Education Data System (EDS) iGrants application. These grants are intended to support and enhance the teaching of civics education in the community and are designed for a specific program containing its own unique policy and application. Opportunities include Civic Education Travel Grants, Project Citizen, and Kip Tokuda Memorial Civil Liberties Public Education Program.
Washington History Day is a state-level affiliate of National History Day, a nationwide social studies program for grades 6-12. OSPI administers this program in Washington State, in partnership with the Washington State Historical Society.